ACB clears IG appointee

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has cleared newly-appointed Police Inspector General (IG) Merlyn Yolamu, paving the way for a parliamentary test.

ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala, in a written response, yesterday confirmed that the bureau met with the House’s Public Appointments Committee (PAC) on Tuesday where they told the committee that Yolamu was not a suspect of any offence under the bureau.

She  said the IG designate is not under investigation in relation to procurements linked to United Kingdom-based businessperson Zunneth Sattar.

PAC held a meeting with ACB director general Martha Chizuma on Tuesday to establish if indeed Yolamu is a suspect in the ongoing investigations related to Sattar following social media innuendos.

In a telephone interview yesterday, PAC chairperson Joyce Chitsulo said the committee was scheduled to meet Yolamu on Monday ahead of her confirmation in the National Assembly, but postponed the meeting to yesterday.

She said: “We are legally required to inquire into her competence, but we could not ignore the news report which had indicated that she had played a role in some procurement which is a subject of investigations. But the ACB told us that she is not a suspect; hence, we proceeded to inquire into her competence.”

Last week, social media reports indicated that Yolamu played a role in some procurement contracts related to Sattar when she chaired the Malawi Police Service Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee.

Chitsulo could not share the position of her committee on Yolamu, saying they will present a report to Parliament this Friday for plenary to confirm her or not.

While Chitsulo was tight-lipped on the position of the committee, a member who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they committee were satisfied with the candidate’s credentials.

Yolamu, who was Police deputy IG responsible for administration, was appointed into her new role last month to replace George Kainja.

The former IG was sacked for allegedly receiving a bribe from Sattar to favour him with some public contracts.

Kainja was on the position for almost two years as he was the first IG under the Tonse administration.

If confirmed this Friday, Yolamu will become the first female IG after Parliament rejected Mary Nangwale in 2005.

In 2015, IG appointee Paul Kanyama retired on medical grounds the same day the House was debating his confirmation that ended in rejection.

President Chakwera has so far earned praise for showing interest to appoint women into key positions in the public service.

Under his two-year leadership the following key women appointments have been made; Secretary to President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, ACB director general Martha Chizuma, Financial Intelligence Authority director general Jean Piriminta, Ombudsman Grace Malera and Malawi Human Rights Commission executive secretary Habiba Osman, among others.